With my U-2536 nearing it's completion I have started working on another project. As the title states it is going to be a "double-build" of two Type XXIII coastal submarines.
The reason behind building two of them is simple: I have originally purchased the ICM kit and managed to find Griffon's PE set for it. Recently Trumpeter released their Type XXIII and after buying the kit (which is way superior to ICM, BTW) I have decided to build ICM's kit as S-170 Hai, post war waterline diorama (thinking about having the boat moored at quay) with some modified Preiser figures and the Trumpeter's as U-2322 full-hulled version.

I have started on the ICM's kit and here are few pictures:
Opened the three circular holes on the hull, cut out the positioning lights alcoves and removed the sail's railing (which I'm gonna scratchbuild). Also marked the lines where I intend to cut the hull


Reworked the sail's interior and added some details (like the life preserver's hanger)




Stay tuned, TBC...

Libor,
Nice Work ! I'm interested in the comparison of the kits, since I also have both. I'll be following your build progress with some interest. So which Boats have you decided to build ? Take it easy, and keep up the good work..............................Bruce

The XXIII is a very attractive submarine, I will be following your build,

Good work on the bridge - remember that the XXIII was a tailsitter - maybe a bit more angle to your cut ?

Cheers/Jan

Loooking forward to both builds! Great job on the bridge, looks great

Gentlemen,
after a little bit over year I'm back from dead....
Sorry for the blackout in communication but I've gone through quite rough patch of my life. I have moved from central Ohio to Tampa, FL and finally settled down (for a while anyway) and found some time for my most favorite hobby again.

The work on U-Hai and type XXIII double build will continue...

Here's a few updated pictures where the project(s) stand right now:
U-Hai is almost finished, but I need to clear up some details:
I'm trying to portrait U-Hai (S 170) in post war configuration (before the installation of M-1 sonar). I've gone through all my type XXIII pictures and here are my questions:
(1) The picture of model of U-Hai in Eberhart Rossler & Fritz Kohler's - Vom Original Zum Modell - Uboottyp XXIII on page 75 shows the boat in this configuration:

no M-1 sonar, no forward rigging and some sort of antennae on the back of the conning tower. I can't see where is it actually attached to the CT, looks like a loop in a shape of V attached to both sides of the CT. Is that a correct assumption?
Here is another picture (U-Hai in 1958):


(2) I always wanted to build a quay diorama so I will try to portrait U-hai moored at the quay but it brings another question: the removable rigging on the deck is placed on port side of the boat. I wanted to place the boat so it is facing right. That would put the boat port side to the quay and the rigging would get in way of gangway....
How does that work?

Here's a quick Photoshop mock-up of what I'm trying to achieve:

(3) I was thinking about getting one (or two) 1/144 models of Opel Blitz truck to place on the top of the quay but I'm not sure if Bundesmarine still used them in 50s-60s?


More pictures of the progress:






The PE is (very hard to find) Griffon all the detailing scratchbuild.

No progress on the Trumpeter XXIII as of now. I have decided to build the U-2360 instead of U-2322. I quite like the more streamlined CT...

I'd really appreciate if somebody could answer my questions so can proceed with the build.
Thanks!

hello,

regarding the opel blitz:
I'm afraid the bundeswehr/bundesmarine used unimog (daimler benz) and MAN.

I think the layout works just fine, but I don´t think that the gangway/railing on the front hull was anything but a yard/test thing, operational boat seems to lack this feature (resistance/noice/need?) and so would an postwar boat.

The etch and detailing looks nice!

Cheers/Jan

Thanks, Jan.

That's what I thought, too. But when I was doing my photo research for this build I came across two pictures where U-Hai actually has the forward deck railing so I decided to put it on the model. I think it adds a bit of a detail.



As far as Opel Blitz go. I was trying to find 1/144 models of either M.A.N. or Unimog but there are not any. I really want one (or two) trucks on the quay. I will think about it...

Interesting, I cant see if it had the wooden planking, but the railing is there for sure.

Regarding the truck, some railroad supplier might have some in allmost 1:144

The research on U-Hai/U-Hecht is a nightmare. Both subs were modded so many times after 1951that it is almost impossible to keep track.....

I have settled on version with: three positioning light on the CT, wooden planking, forward deck railing and s 170 CT marking. I think that is the closest to the 1951 version as it gets....
Granted, it is mostly (even though educated ) guessing.

I decided to share with you all the other pictures of U-Hai/U-Hecht I have in my extensive archive. Some other modelers might find them useful:

Jan,
if you take close look on the fourth picture from the bottom, it looks like the railing is there, seems to me that it is "retractable" to the deck. Also on the second picture from the top (right next to the hatch) you cane see little hook where (I'm guessing) the railing gets attached to the CT.

Yes, and at least one of your fine pics show the wooden deck - impressive.

With the wooden deck goes a cutout for a lantern in front of the turret - are you going to do that ?

Sad those boats where scrapped in the 70´ties - at least one should have gone for a museum - hope they will raise the one in Danish waters just south of Læsø.

It would seem the boats were altered every time they docked

Yes, even though I believe the cutout was covered with clear glass (like the sides).
I will attempt to put a lantern between third and fourth rung but I have a feeling that at this scale there is not enough room and it would look disproportionate.
I might just opt out for glueing piece of plastic and "simulating the lantern....

I've built these OTB and can echo the discussion about constant modifications and I must express admiration for the job you're making of the kit.

I will follow the rest of your build with interest

Cheers
Adam

Thanks, Adam.
I just spent couple hours working on the crew. They are modified Preiser tank crew figures. I definitely broke sweat on these. Just FYI the figures are only 12mm tall. My eyes hurt.



@Jan: I just looked up the article about U-2359 sunk near Læsø. It would be really good if they raised the wreck and restored it. I'm just not sure if U-2359 was sunk with any hands on board. If that's the case, the raising of the boat is very unlikely because of the "disturbing of war grave" laws.

edit: I just looked up the fate of U-2359. She was sunk with 12 sailors on board so most likely she won't be raised again...

maybe You use the opel blitz of an civil contractor, loaded with coal? blue, black or even red?
maybe as a military truck the GMC cargo truck?
the modelrailway trucks would be 1/160 (N) or 1/120 (TT) then...........?

by the way:
the boats were raised in 1956..........

That's not a bad idea.

Also, 1951 was a typo. I meant 1957, hahahaha.

Crew is finished. Painted, blackwashed and clearcoated.
I've included SD card in pictures for size reference:



TBC...

great work!!

like the contrast between those two dancing dudes to the left and that marcial- arts- guy, second from right...................

Thanks!
Finally have two days off from my two jobs. Started working on the wharf. Pics coming up soon...

Just a very quick update.
This is how the overall composition going to look like:

I think it's time to put the "double" (as stated in the name of the thread) in play and start working on the Trumpeter's kit.
Started to do some extensive research on U-2360 and found some interesting info:
First of all I found (on some Uruguayan website this, unknown to me) picture of U-2360 with some interesting facts

Until now my only reference was this picture:


If you read the description it clearly states that the stripes on the U-2360 were YELLOW (training) contrary to belief (and all type XXIII releases so far) that they were white...
Also the description says that U-2360 carried yellow stripe on the bow.

After zooming in and out and playing with contrast in Photoshop I am convinced that there is a stripe on bow (Fig.1) and inclined to believe that U-2360 had stripe on the aft as well (Fig.2):


Also the first picture clearly shows the UAK trials insignia. After a few minutes in the Photoshop I came up with this mock-up:

(I'm still not sold on the stripe on the aft, though. I guess I will sleep on it for a while)
What are your thoughts gentlemen?

I have a few other issues though. There is a lack of detailed pictures of the inside of the CT.
I would appreciate if somebody could help me out and share with me some photos.
Here is what I found in my archive so far:








Looking forward your thoughts/ideas...

Decided to open the largest holes on the bow (the small ones I'll just "simulate" using black paint).
I'm happy with the result (pictures make them look little uneven but they are nice and smooth on the model):



When I dry-fitted the halves of hull together I have noticed that the holes don't line up. I have followed the original Trumpeter's holes exactly, so my question is: were the holes on Type XXIII really this offset?
Can't find good top view blueprint.


Edit: according to this blueprint, the holes were indeed offset. Hmmm, interesting. Never noticed that.

On the other hand the two top holes seem to bee too big on the model and wrong angle... >:(

What do you guys think?

It feels so good to finally have a day off!
Spending my time drinking Jack Daniels and working on and off on the diorama and U-2360.

Scratchbuilding the quay:




TBC...